The benefits of Omega 3 for your dog

Omega 3 is among the essential fatty acids for humans as well as dogs, cats and horses, along with Omega 6. Omega 3 must be absorbed through the diet. However, many dogs do not get Omega 3 through the diet, or not enough of it. The Omega 3 fatty acids Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are especially important for a healthy animal body.

Omega 3 fatty acids enter fish and shellfish through the food chain. The best sources of Omega 3 fatty acids are oily fish such as tuna, herring and mackerel. Fatty fish is just not eaten by most dogs, if at all. It contains many calories and is mostly not purified. Especially in dogs with movement problems, this is not desirable. Some vegetable oils, such as flaxseed oil, are also rich in Omega 3. However, vegetable oils, in particular, contain alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). ALA has yet to be converted into EPA and DHA. And dogs convert only 10% of ALA into EPA and DHA. So your dog will not get enough EPA and DHA if he or she has to get it only from the vegetable oil offered over his food.

Omega 3 for your dog!

Because your dog benefits from Omega 3 but does not get enough of it through the diet, which is certainly the case with heavier dogs, it is very important that EPA and DHA in their pure form be added or supplemented to the diet. In conventional pet food, these Omega 3 fatty acids are not present or not present in the correct proportions. And feeding more food is obviously not an option. Dogs, like humans, often get too little easily absorbable Omega 3 and too much Omega 6. Too much Omega 6 in turn has the effect that the Omega 3 fatty acids are even less well converted into EPA and DHA. Dry feed contains a lot of Omega 6. By adding Omega 3, the correct ratio is achieved again. Fish oil, which is rich in Omega 3, then offers a solution as a supplement for your dog.

Many nutrition tips mention omega 3 to give to your pet. Omega 3 is good for the brain, among other things. Especially for pregnant dogs, omega 3 is also important. Through fish oil, omega 3 is easy to add to your dog's diet.

Thinking about salmon oil for your dog? Wild fish oil is a better alternative. This is because most salmon oil is made from farmed fluff salmon that are sometimes fed contaminated concentrate and antibiotics, which is not desirable for your dog. Plus, it often requires a higher dosage to be given. Arctic Blue is happy to tell you more about the benefits of fish oil and what to look for when purchasing (the right) fish oil for your dog.